Pakistan International Airlines has been put on right direction, strategy of Right aircraft for Right sector will now prevail: Chairman

Karachi, November 29, 2013 (PPI-OT): Chairman PIA Muhammad Ali Gardezi has said that PIA has been put on right direction and strategy of Right aircraft for Right sector will now prevail. He said that all out efforts are being made to increase revenue base and implementation of cost saving measures to make it profitable airline.

The remarkable success achieved in recently concluded Hajj Operation is proof of it he said. He was addressing media persons at a Press Conference held at PIA Head Office. Managing Director Muhammad Junaid Yunus, DMD Operations Humayun Jamil, DMD Engineering Air Vice Marshall Qasim Masood Khan, Director Marketing Khurram Mushtaq, Director HRA and C Aijaz Mazhar and other senior officials were also present in media briefing.

Mr.Gardezi said that two more modern and fuel efficient 737-800 aircraft acquired on damp lease have arrived today making a total of 4 Boeing 737-800 aircraft which are being utilized now to meet capacity requirements.

He said that with the 737-800 aircraft PIA is not only saving on fuel but also facilitating in terms of improving PIA flight schedule as the airline is facing shortage of aircraft. He said that all union and associations are on board with regard to cost savings. He said that the airline is refurbishing its aircraft, new cabin crew uniforms are being introduced and in-flight entertainment magazine will also have a new look.

Besides this, PIA is in the process of inducting 10 latest technology fuel efficient Airbus A310 and A319 aircraft, for which the Board of Directors has given its approval, he said. These aircraft will be inducted in PIA fleet starting from April 2014 and all ten aircraft will inducted within a time frame of six to 10 months. He said that PPRA rules have been followed in the entire process has been done in a transparent manner.

Mr. Junaid Yunus while giving presentation on Hajj Operation 2013 said that flight punctuality stood at 90% which is a new record. He said that PIA this year received a certificate of achievement from Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) for best airline service provider for Hajj 2013. While elaborating the flight schedule, he said that PIA’s flights have been increased on profitable routes and flights closed due to loss making routes.

Giving an example of fuel expense alone he said that the fuel consumption of 737-800 aircraft is 2,200 Kg per hour whereas PIA’s existing Airbus A310 consumes around 5,500 Kg per hour of fuel. This is a huge saving for PIA. The 10 new aircraft to be inducted in PIA fleet will also benefit PIA in terms of fuel savings as presently the airline fuel expense is 55 percent of the total costs. He added.

MD PIA said that PIA is utilizing the B737-800 on domestic routes and Gulf routes such as Dubai, Kuwait, Dammam, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Muscat routes in addition to our aircrafts operating on these routes. The domestic routes include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta. PIA will operate 64 domestic and 27 international flights per week with the induction of 4 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. He added.

PIA has recently stopped flying to Hong Kong temporarily and will restart operation with the induction of new aircraft in airline’s fleet.

With the induction of fuel efficient A320 family aircraft PIA will save on fuel as well as improve the airline’s flight frequencies, introduction of new flights, flight timings and offer better services to its passengers-.